The Serengeti: Plain Facts about National Park & Animals The Serengeti: Plain Facts about National Park & Animals By Kim Ann Zimmermann, Live Science Contributor | September 19, 2012 12:27pm ET MORE The Serengeti is a vast ecosystem in east-central Africa. It spans 12,000 square miles (30,000 square kilometers) giving rise to its name, which is derived from the Maasai language and means “endless plains.” This region of Africa is located in north Tanzania and extends to southwestern Kenya. The Serengeti encompasses Serengeti National Park and a number of protected game reserves and conservation areas maintained by the governments of Tanzania and Kenya. The region hosts the largest mammal migration in the world and is a popular destination for African safaris. Wildebeests and zebras cross the Serengeti Plain in an annual migration.

Altitudes in the Serengeti range from 3,020 feet to 6,070 feet (920 meters to 1,850 meters) The usually warm and dry climate is interrupted by two rainy seasons — March to May, and a shorter season in October and November. An acacia tree on the Serengeti Plain. Credit: M Rutherford shutterstock The Serengeti landscape is quite varied with flat-topped acacias (a genre of shrubs and trees), rolling plains and open grasslands that are bordered by hills and rocky formations. Extreme weather conditions plague the area, with harsh winds combining with heat to create a harsh environment. The expansiveness of the Serengeti is interrupted by Ol Doinyo Lengai, the only active volcano in the area and the only volcano that still ejects carbonatite lavas that turn white when exposed to air. When it rains, the ash turns into a calcium-rich material that is as hard as cement. The southeastern area lies in the shadow of the Ngorongoro highlands and is composed of shortgrass treeless plains as this area does get rain.

Some 43 miles (70 km) west, acacia woodlands rise suddenly and extend west to Lake Victoria and north to the Loita Plains. The landscape is dotted with a number of granite and gneiss outcroppings known as kopjes, which are large rocky formations that are the result of volcanic activity. The Simba Kopje (Lion Kopje) is a popular tourist stop. Animals of the Serengeti Blue wildebeests, gazelles, zebras and buffalos inhabit the region, along with lions and spotted hyenas familiar to fans of the Disney film “The Lion King.” In the 1890s, droughts and a rinderpest epidemic (also known as cattle plague or steppe murrain) took a serious toll on the animal population of the Serengeti, in particular the wildebeest. By the mid-1970s the wildebeest and the buffalo populations had recovered. Each year the great wildebeest migration begins in December in the Ngorongoro area of the southern Serengeti of Tanzania, which offers rich grasslands for feeding.

This is a huge attraction for tourists, and while many think it is an intense and short-lived phenomenon, it is actually a fairly slow trek. It occurs during this time because there plenty of rain-ripened grass available for the 750,000 zebra that precede 1.2 million wildebeest and then the hundreds of thousands of other plains game bringing up the rear of the migration path. A red-headed rock agama displays colorful male territorial markings in Serengeti National Park. Credit: Mogens Trolle shutterstock Wildebeests bear their young in February and March, which sparks predators. Then in May as the plains of the south and east dry out the mass moves on to the north and west crossing the Grumeti River, where there is more grass and more a more reliable water supply. Some 250,000 wildebeest die during the journey from Tanzania to Maasai Mara Reserve in lower Kenya, a total of 500 miles (800 km). Death is usually from thirst, hunger, exhaustion, or predation. But large mammals are not the only ones that make their home in the Serengeti.

Gaudy agama lizards and rock hyraxes make themselves comfortable in the numerous granite kopjes, which are formations of huge boulders of sparkling, coarse rock. A full 100 varieties of dung beetle have been recorded, as have 500-plus bird species, ranging from the outsized ostrich to the black eagles that soar effortlessly above the Lobo Hills. History The Maasai people had been grazing their livestock in the open plains for around 200 years when the first European explorers visited the area. German geographer and explorer Dr. Oscar Baumann entered the area in 1892. The first Brit to enter the Serengeti, Stewart Edward White, recorded his explorations in the northern Serengeti in 1913. A group of Maasai women shows a traditional Jump dance in a village near Maasai Mara Reserve. Credit: Oleg Znamenskiy / Shutterstock.com Because the hunting of lions made them so scarce, the British decided to make a partial game reserve of 800 acres (3.2 square km) in the area in 1921 and a full one in 1929.

These actions became the basis for Serengeti National Park, which was established in 1951. The Serengeti gained more fame after the initial work of Bernhard Grzimek and his son Michael in the 1950s. Together they produced the book and film “Serengeti Shall Not Die,” an early nature conservation documentary. As part of the creation of the park and in order to preserve its wildlife, the Maasai were relocated to the Ngorongoro highlands, a move that still elicits much controversy. — Kim Ann Zimmermann, LiveScience Contributor Related: Serengeti | Wildebeest Migration - Cedarberg Africa Home » Tanzania & Zanzibar » Serengeti Serengeti Gaze for miles over the African plains, green or gold according to the season but always full of life. Serengeti National Park The Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous safari destinations in the world. Its vast open savanna plains of roughly 25,000 km2 allow the wildlife to move according to the commands of the seasonal rains, untroubled by park boundaries.

The Serengeti Eco-System With the Serengeti National Park at its heart, the Serengeti eco-system comprises much of northern Tanzania including the adjacent wildlife management areas, the Ngorongoro Crater area, and a good chunk of Kenya in the form of the Masai Mara National Reserve and its associated game conservancies. More than other safari destinations, the best place to stay in the Serengeti depends on when you are travelling and also your tolerance towards seeing other safari vehicles, as the Serengeti becomes very busy as the wildebeest migration begins. The Wildebeest Migration Up to two million wildebeest and half a million zebra live in the Serengeti National Park as well as thousands of impala and other antelope, the largest concentration of wildlife in the world. This in turn attracts predators which has led to the popular nickname of ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’. Life on the Serengeti is a complex cycle defined by the rains.

The Wildebeest migration is the continual movement of animals as they trek up to 800 km through the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and into the Masai Mara National Park in Kenya in search of new grazing lands, and then back down again. The wildlife migration spills out into buffer zones on the edge of the park where wild animals co-exist alongside the local Masai and their livestock. When to visit the Serengeti The beginning of the year sees the animals enjoying the sweet grass plains in the southern part of the Serengeti. From mid December to March, the short grass plains of the south around Ndutu are alive with migrant herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles and the animals give birth. However for the rest of the year the southern part can be a little empty in terms of game as the wildebeest migration heads north. When the long rains begin in April, the plains are at their most beautiful, vivid with wildflowers and packed with game. This is an ideal time for photographic safaris in as the quality of the light is magical.

From April to June, the Serengeti National Park is the theatre for one of the most impressive wildlife shows on earth – the wildebeest migration. Hundreds of thousands of plains game begin moving north-westwards to the Seronera. This spectacular moving feast is trailed by predators: lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena. The Seronera area of the Serengeti comprises open plains dotted with attractive kopjes. There’s plenty of resident game with relaxed predators as well as the migrating herds coming through in April and May. Given the Seronera’s central position, you can stay in the Serengeti lodges located here and still travel south and north to the Western Corridor. However this means that the Seronera remains busy throughout the migration. By the end of June or July, as the rains dwindle, huge columns of wildebeest and zebra cross the crocodile-infested Grumeti River into the Masai Mara , where there is permanent water. Many travel via the Western Corridor of the Serengeti National Park, an area with plenty of permanent game including zebra, wildebeest, predators and forest species such as colobus monkeys.

Good lodges here include Grumeti River Lodge and the Singita lodges in the private Singita Grumeti Reserve ( Singita Sasakwa Lodge , Singita Sabora Tented Camp , Singita Faru Faru Lodge and Singita Serengeti House ). Territorial game (hippo, elephant, leopard, serval, jackal, giraffe) remain behind, particularly in the Seronera area, hoping the fat they have gained during the last few months will enable them to survive the dry season whilst they anxiously wait for the rains. The Northern Serengeti lies between the Seronera and the Kenya border. This gentle rolling game country includes the pretty Lobo kopje. Given its northern position, it is far less crowded than the Seronera. Good options here for the wildebeest migration include Sayari Camp and Serengeti Migration Camp . East of Serengeti National Park lies the Loliondo area which belongs to the Masai tribes. This is part of the Serengeti eco-system and has plenty of permanent game and also experiences the wildebeest migration.

The plus point for this area is that the camps here, being outside the park confines, offer night drives. Between October and November you can see the migration as it returns south into Tanzania. Here we recommend Nduara Loliondo Camp , andBeyond Klein’s Camp and Suyan Camp. The short rains begin in November to mid-December, and the wildebeest migration returns to the south-western part of the Serengeti National Park to the short sweet grass plains. Long columns of wildebeest and zebra are trailed by opportunistic predators. The return leg of the migration is much more scattered and sporadic taking place over several weeks. Serengeti Hot Air Ballooning A balloon flight over the Serengeti must be one of the most memorable ways to celebrate the glories of the African bush! Wake before the birds and drive through the dark to the balloon launch site. As dawn breaks the burners start to inflate the balloons and a small but excited bunch of people clambers into the traditional wicker baskets. Soon you are soaring high above the savanna and the acacias, watching from aloft as the first animals come to drink from the meandering river below.

The pilot lets the wind take you where it will. All too soon you land to enjoy an alfresco bush breakfast to toast the best possible start to a day on safari. Seasonal and Mobile Camps Over the last ten years or so, several Tanzania safari operators have worked out how to strike, move and re-erect luxury tented camps which have all the comforts and trappings of permanent camps. It is wrong to call these mobile camps as they are more complex and are pitched in locations carefully chosen many months in advance. But the whole affair does relocate, some two or three times a year. Veterans Nomad Tanzania are masters at this and their Serengeti Safari Camp has probably been the model for others who also do this well, including Tanzania under Canvas and Asilia’s Olakira . Free Insiders Guide to Migration Safaris Download our in-depth guide to the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti and Masai Mara - where to go and when...

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania - Facts, Location,Map,Things to do Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Serengeti National Park, Tanzania PDF Serengeti in Maasai language means “the place where the land runs on forever.” The Serengeti is an unspoilt and untamed wilderness and also the greatest game park in Africa. Unending horizon, limitless short-grass pastures, and sapphire skies of Serengeti bring a glint to worn souls of travelers. It’s a primordial land where only the most primitive laws of nature apply — kill or be killed, eat or be eaten! These vast plains may be a utopia for escapists and nature lovers; but to the hordes of unsophisticated beasts – like the Big Five – it is simply a playground. History American explorer Stewart Edward White was the first outsider to visit the region in 1913. Established in 1951, it is the oldest national park in Tanzania. Its name in Maasai language (Serenget) means “the place where the land runs on forever.” It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.

Things to Do in Serengeti National Park As the lions pounce, elephants trample, hyenas cackle, hippos splash, and gazelles traverse in the blink of an eye; like the Elton John’s song ‘Circle of Life’, “there’s more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done.” The Great Migration – Few people ever forget the moments of beholding this greatest wildlife spectacle on earth. Nothing can rival the sight of annual migration of hoofed animals: around 1.7 million wildebeests, 200,000 zebras, gazelles, and buffaloes. This 1,000-mile-long movement starts in late November near Ngorongoro crater in southern Serengeti and reaches the Maasai Mara National Reserve in northern Serengeti. Within short period in February, almost 8,000 wildebeest calves are born each day in this grazing pilgrimage. Nature takes its course when thousands of wildebeests and zebras leap into the murky waters of the crocodile-infested Mara River and Grumeti River; most animals survive and some meet their maker by landing in crocodile’s jaws.

Wildlife viewing – Within the boundaries of Serengeti, there are more than 70 species of large mammals and 500 kinds of birds. Take out your binoculars to feel the power of the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino – and meet the Little Five – antlion, rhino beetle, elephant shrew, buffalo weaver, and leopard tortoise. Go for open-jeep safaris on well-worn safari roads and wait near watering holes where antelopes, impalas, giraffes, and other animals come to quench their thirst. The western corridor offers an extremely rewarding experience for travelers keen on game viewing and birdwatching in Serengeti. Hot Air Balloon Safaris – After you’ve had enough of bumpy ride, opt for an enchanting hot air balloon ride over the endless plains to get a bird’s eye view of the wildlife. Night Game Drives – Go on a game drive in night allows a unique opportunity to spot nocturnal animals like hunting lions and cackling hyenas. Tour operators, which provide such thrilling experience, can be found near Ikoma Wild Camp.

Serengeti Visitor Center – Located near Seronera Airstrip in the small settlement of Mara, this place is an attraction in its own right. Self-guided walking paths with informative signs convey the history of Serengeti, Swahili culture and customs, and semi-nomadic life of the Maasai people in African bush. It’s as good a place as any to embark on cultural tours, adventure tours, and multiple-day jungle safaris. Shopping – For those who’d like to bring back something else than photographs and memories, the city of Arusha and other larger towns have curio markets. Make sure to bargain hard for carvings, masks, Maasai spears, textiles, drums, jewelry, and handicraft. The Arusha Heritage Center offers a large variety of souvenirs and crafts. Shopping in Serengeti is limited due to the absence of permanent human settlements. Nearby Attractions Maasai Mara National Reserve, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Victoria, Lake Natron, Ol Doinyo Lengai, and Mount Kilimanjaro. Location Serengeti National Park is located in Mara Region along the northern border of Tanzania with Kenya.

The national park is roughly 208 miles (335km) from Arusha and 161 miles (260 km) from Nairobi — the capital of Kenya. Serengeti National Park Map How to Reach? By Air – Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), known as “Gateway to Africa’s Wildlife Heritage”, serves the city of Arusha and Moshi. Most organized safari rides in Tanzania begin from Arusha. Furthermore, domestic flights from Arusha to Seronera Airstrip are another viable option. By Train – Arusha Railway Station is connected with passenger trains from Dar es Salaam and Dodoma. By Road – Highway B144 passes through the heart of the national park. Rented cabs, tour buses, and safari coaches ply frequently from Arusha. Accommodations Depending upon your budget, accommodations in Serengeti range from safari lodges and public campsites to luxury tented camps and mobile camps. Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camp, Seronera Lodge, Lobo Wildlife Lodge, and Sopa Ngorogoro Hotel are good options to stay overnight in the park.

Restaurants Nearly all lodges and camps in the park have restaurants serving exotic African cuisine. For a fine dining experience head to restaurants in Arusha like Stiggy’s Thai Restaurant, Pepe Italian Restaurant, and Khan’s Restaurant. Best Time to Visit The Serengeti region offers game viewing all year round. However, to witness the Great Migration go on safaris in the dry season — from late June to September. Winter, when the weather is pleasant, is another ideal time to enjoy recreational activities like birdwatching. Facts about Serengeti National Park The national park covers an area of over 5,700 square miles. Its area is divided into three regions: Serengeti plains, Western corridor, and northern Serengeti. It has one of the oldest ecosystems in the world. The Kenyan side of the Serengeti is called Maasai Mara National Reserve. Things to Remember Serengeti National Park entrance fees are applicable for each person per day. Visit park’s official website for more detailed information. The main gate for the entrance in the park stands at Nabi Hill. Don’t forget to carry drinking water, hats, and sunscreen before going on safaris.

English speaking guides on safari tours are easily available. Since resources are scarce inside the park, prices on basics usually run high. Nearby Attractions: Maasai Mara Reserve and Ngorongoro. Last updated : Tuesday, December 6, 2016 Related 10 interesting facts about the Serengeti Migration | UNIGLOBE Action Travel 10 Interesting Facts About the Serengeti Migration Africa, Anywhere Serengeti National Park is located on the Tanzania's northern border with Kenya. It is one of the most important African tourism circuits and an extension of the Kenyan Maasai Mara National Park. Below are a few interesting facts about the park. 10 interesting facts about the Serengeti Migration Serengeti National Park is located on the Tanzania's northern border with Kenya. It is one of the most important African tourism circuits and an extension of the Kenyan Maasai Mara National Park. Below are a few interesting facts about the park. 1. The Serengeti National Park eco-system is the oldest on the planet. It boasts a diversity of flora and fauna that is unavailable anywhere else on the globe. 2.

Serengeti is home to one of the world's seven natural wonders - the more than 1 million wildebeest Migration that crosses the Mara River in Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya to the Park in search of the green pastures. 3. In more than 1 million years, little has changed in the park. The wild animals, the plants and waterways are still largely intact as they were one million years ago. Amazingly, the oldest remains of man (2 million years ago) were discovered here by the famous East Africa archaeologist, Dr. Leakey. 4. Most of the tourists focus on the more than 1 million wildebeest as they migrate. However, Zebras too migrate - albeit in smaller numbers. 5. Thousands of the migrating animals will never make it back to Maasai Mara national park as African crocodiles and other carnivores have a feast waylaying the herbivores as they cross the Mara River. 6. The Serengeti National Park is nestled at 3,020 feet to 6,070 feet above the sea level. Its climate is generally dry but gets a lot of rainfall in the months of June and July. 7.

The Expanse of Serengeti is home to the only active volcano in the area - the Ol Doinyo Lengai. It ejects mineral rich carbonate lava that is washed down to the plains of Serengeti to fertilize the land. 8. Serengeti is largely savannah grassland with scattered pieces of Shrub land that is ideal for the herbivores to graze and good for the carnivores to hunt. Among the herbivores found here include, zebras, elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, antelopes, gazelles and buffaloes. Among the carnivores found include lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, jackals, etc. 9. The Serengeti is the ancestral land of the Maa Community. The Maasai are one of the African communities that still practice their ancient cultural rituals such as circumcision, dances and sacrifices. 10. Serengeti is one of the cheapest National Parks in Tanzania. For the variety you will see, the park entrance fee is a bargain. Tanzania is one of the Eastern Africa countries that boast a Swahili culture.

If you plan to visit the country, be sure to sample the Swahili cultural dishes and lifestyle over and above the jungle safari. Untitled Document Serengeti National Park - Tanzania Destinations | Rhino Africa Serengeti National Park Lazy adult male lion gazes at tourists on safari in Namibia SHARE: Lazy adult male lion gazes at tourists on safari in Namibia SHARE: Lazy adult male lion gazes at tourists on safari in Namibia SHARE: Lazy adult male lion gazes at tourists on safari in Namibia SHARE: Lazy adult male lion gazes at tourists on safari in Namibia SHARE: Lazy adult male lion gazes at tourists on safari in Namibia SHARE: Tanzania : Where the plains never seem to end Stretching itself across 1.5 million hectares of land, the Serengeti National Park is known for its impressive population of wildlife—most notably the Big 5. It is perhaps more renowned for being part of the stage on which the annual Great Migration plays out.

Each year, over 1.5 million wildebeest, a fair number of gazelles, and small following of zebra seek better grazing areas by moving south in the Serengeti, then west and north into the Maasai Mara before eventually returning. It is unsurprising that the Serengeti’s bustling plains offer some of the most remarkable safari opportunities in the country, and visiting in the right season will promise astonishing sites of this natural phenomenon. The Serengeti’s terrain varies from the volcanic grasslands and vast plains that are interrupted by rocky outcrops, rivers, volcanoes, and forests. The park boasts superb game-viewing all year round, a huge predator population, and varied birdlife. Much action can be seen near rivers and waterholes where the wildlife assembles. As well as being home to countless hippo pods and crocodiles, the water’s edge is the prime position from which to watch nature unfold—whether it is simply to observe a trumpet of elephants escaping the midday heat or watch lion and crocodile compete over food sources.

Highlights Spanning over 1.5 million hectares, the Serengeti is home to a part of the Great Migration Over a million wildebeest rumble across its plains every year in search of better grazing areas Superb game-viewing offered all year round—some of the most remarkable safari opportunities in the country Home to the Big 5 and high-density lion populations Varied terrain from volcanic grasslands, vast plains, rocky outcrops, rivers, volcanoes, and forests Map of Serengeti National Park Site Map Serengeti National ParkMap The Serengeti National Park forms the centre piece of the greater Serengeti conservation area that includes numerous reserves and concessions. Loading map... Serengeti National Park Serengeti National Park is one of the best-known wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and symbolises the classic African safari. With more than 2 million wildebeest, half a million Thomson's gazelle, and a quarter of a million zebra, it has the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa. The Serengeti is also synonymous with the annual wildebeest and zebra migration.

The name 'Serengeti' comes from the Maasai language and means an 'extended place'. The National Park alone covers an area of 12,950 square kilometres. The Serengeti ecosystem, which includes the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Grumeti Game Reserve, the Maswa Game Reserve, the Maasai Mara Game reserve (in Kenya) and numerous concession areas, is roughly the size of Sicily. It lies between the shores of Lake Victoria in the west, Lake Eyasi in the south, and the Great Rift Valley to the east. Serengeti Wildebeest and Zebra Migration route map Read more about the Serengeti Migration, including detailed maps and movement patterns and migratory routes: Migration route map Our migration route maps show the where the migration is during each month relative to Serengeti National Park, Game Reserves or concession areas. As the migration path and timing is dependent on climatic conditions, the maps can only give a rough guide of the location at any point in the year.

Safari Routes in the Serengeti The itinerary for a safari in the Serengeti and the Northern Circuit of Tanzania is very dependent on the time of year and the location of the migration at the time. Here are some sample routes that show the best locations by month including the lodges and camps in the area: ...more Serengeti Safari Routes . Featured Serengeti Safari lodge maps Faru Faru River Lodge map, Grumeti Reserve : Faru Faru River Lodge is built on a gently sloping hill, overlooking a waterhole and the Grumeti River Grumeti River Camp map : The remote Western Corridor of the Serengeti abounds with resident game all year round. Grumeti lies in the path of the migration which in a typical year arrives between June and July Kirawira Camp map : Kirawira Camp is an luxurious permanent tented camp, elegantly furnished throughout in the old 1920s safari style. Kleins Camp map : Kleins Camp is perched on the edge of the Kuka Hills, which straddle the northeastern border of the Serengeti.

Kusini Camp map : Kusini is in an exclusive remote region of the Serenget and provides guests with a secluded and unobtrusive position that curves naturally with a group of Kopjes Migration Camp map : Migration Camp is a comfortable camp in a remote location in the northern Serengeti. Ndutu Safari Lodge map : Ndutu Safari Lodge is the only permanent lodge in the short grass plains of Ndutu. Nomad Loliondo Camp map : The Loliondo Safari Camp moves within the Loliondo area on the eastern border of the Serengeti National Park. Olakira Camp map : Olakira is a luxury 8 tented mobile camp that operates in the southern and central Serengeti. Sabora Plains tented camp map, Grumeti Reserve : Sabora Plains Tented Camp is beautifully decorated in grand campaign style representing a return to the golden ages of the 1920s and 30s. Sasakwa Camp map, Grumeti Reserve : Sasakwa Lodge is situated on the top of Sasakwa Hill, with awe-inspiring views over the Serengeti plains.

Sayari Mobile Camp map : Sayari Camp is a seasonal mobile camp that follows the wildebeest migration through the Serengeti. More about the Serengeti Landscape A unique combination of diverse habitats enables it to support more than 30 species of large harbivores and nearly 500 species of birds. Its landscape, originally formed by volcanic activity, has been sculptured by the concerted action of wind, rain and sun. It now varies from open grass plains in the south, savannah with scattered acacia trees in the centre, hilly, wooded grassland in the north, to extensive woodland and black clay plains to the west. Small rivers, lakes and swamps are scattered throughout. In the south-east rise the great volcanic massifs and craters of the Ngorongoro Highlands. Each area has its own particular atmosphere and wildlife. History For centuries, the vast wilderness of the Serengeti Plains remained virtually uninhabited but about hundred years ago the nomadic Maasai came down from the north with their cattle. The first European to set foot in the area was the German explorer and naturalist Dr.

Oscar Baumann, who passed by as an agent of the German Anti-Slavery Committee on his way to Burundi. He was followed by his compatriots who built Fort Ikoma in the north which was used as an administrative centre until it fell to the British in 1917. The first professional hunters came in 1913. They found the wildlife plentiful, especially the lions, but saw no elephants. Seven years later, an American arrived in a strange new contraption known as a Ford motor-car and news of the wonders of the Serengeti had reached the outside world. Because the hunting of lions made them so scarce (they were considered 'vermin'), it was decided to make a partial Game Reserve in the area in 1921 and a full one in 1929. With the growing awareness of the need for conservation, it was expanded and upgraded to a National Park in 1951. Eight years later the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was established in the south-east as a separate unit. In the open grass plains during the rainy months from November to May hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and Burchell's zebra congregate.

The area is the starting point for one of the great wonders of the world: the Serengeti annual migration. Towards the end of May when the grass becomes dry and exhausted, the wildebeest start to mass in huge armies. All is far from peaceful, for it is the rutting season and each male tries to establish a stamping ground. Eventually, after several dummy runs, the animals begin their trek in a column several miles long to the permanent waters in the north of the Park. After moving westwards, the migration divides by some uncanny instinct, one group turning north-east and the other due north. Once started, little stops the stampede: hundreds often drown at a time in the broad Mara river in the north. This mass movement has a following of carnivores, always ready to dispose of the weaklings The river crossings happen at any time during this time of year, but are elusive, rapid and unforgettable experiences. The wildebeest are easily spooked by real or imagined threats. Patient waiting near a herd by the river may only produce a puff of dust as they turn on their heels and run away. Or maybe the herd is just not ready to cross the river and they are milling around contentedly.

But if everything is right then, there is utter and extraordinary chaos as the herds struggle to get to the other side of a major river filled with crocodiles. Game Viewing Although outnumbered eight to one, the zebra join in the migration, maintaining their family units of about a dozen members, each with a dominant stallion. Their yelping bark combines with the bleating of the wildebeest to give the typical sound of the migration. Lion, cheetah, hyena and hunting dog follow the wildebeest and zebra, making sure that only the fittest survive. In November, when the grazing is finished in the North, this army of animals surges back to the now green pastures of the south, where they calve and mate before starting the entire cycle again. Normally, the best time to see the animals here is during January and February. Heading north into the Park, the grass becomes noticeably longer, and it is usual to see Grant's and Thomson's gazelles, as well as the occasional small groups of topi and kongoni. Ostriches and secretary birds stalk the grass, while a family of warthog often scurry away.

Out of the vast sea of grass also rise great granite outcrops, known as 'kopjes', which have their own range of vegetation and wildlife. Towards Seronera, the Park headquarters, the landscape becomes more varied. Hills rise out of plains criss-crossed by small rivers. Umbrella acacia trees appear, elegant and serene, contrasting with the twisted commiphora trees. Cheeky hyraxes and lizards play on the rocks and a profusion of birds - superb starlings, lilac-breasted rollers, barbets and ring-necked doves to name but a few - fill the air with their songs. But all around is some of the wildest bush in Africa. Giraffes nibble the tender leaves of the thorny acacias, buffalo lumber along, and all manner of game - Thomson's and Grant's gazelles, impala, topi and kongoni - graze nervously. At night the soaring cough of the leopard and the whooping laugh of the hyena interrupt the incessant ticking of the cicadas. And then there are famous black-maned lions of Seronera.

No longer hunted like vermin, a pride of up to twenty can often be seen in a tawny heap. From Seronera, the road to the west runs parallel to the Grumeti river, crossing extensive cotton soil plains. The riverine wood along its banks supports many black and white Colobus monkeys while exceptionally large crocodiles take to its waters. In open clearings and on hills, a herd of roan antelope or Patterson's eland sometimes appear. To the north, the landscape gradually becomes more hilly and wooded. Damaged trees show that this is becoming elephant country, while buffalo, zebra, giraffe and gazelles abound. Another beautiful lodge built on a kopje takes its name from nearby Lobo hill, which appropriately means in Maasai the 'place belonging to one man'. With magnificent views over rolling plains, it must be one of the most haunting and remote places on earth. Most visitors enter the Park from the south-east, dropping down from the escarpment of the Ngorongoro Highlands onto the open short grass plains. The road passes by the Olduvai Gorge, where Dr. and Mrs.

Leakey found the 1.75 million-year-old remains of Australopithecus boisei ('Zinjanthropus') and Homo habilis which suggest that our species first evolved in this area. To the west, the Gorge reaches Lake Ndutu where a safari lodge is attractively set amongst trees by the water's edge. Climate The Serengeti's climate is usually warm and dry. The main rainy season is from March to May, with short rains falling from October to November. The amount of rainfall increases from about 508mm on the plains in the lee of the Ngorongoro Highlands to about 1,200mm on the shores of Lake Victoria. All is lush and green after the rains, but a gradual drying up follows which restricts plant growth and encourages the animals to migrate in search of permanent waters. With altitudes ranging from 920 to 1,850 metres - higher than most of Europe - mean temperatures vary from 15 degrees to 25 degrees Celsius. It is coldest from June to October, particularly in the evenings.

Game Reserves and Private Concessions in the Serengeti eco-system The Serengeti is not fenced and is surrounded by a number of huge reserves and private concessions. Together with the National Park these make the greater Serengeti eco-system. They act as a buffer for the National Park and most are in the path of the annual migration, which make them critical to the region. The main reserves are the Grumeti Game Reserve, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Maswa Game Reserve, Loliondo Controlled Area, Lake Natron Controlled Area, Mount Wa Mbu Game Controlled Area, Ikorongo Controlled Area. The Masai Mara Game Reserve (in Kenya) also forms part of this huge eco-system. Grumeti Game Reserve Grumeti Game Reserve is a 340,000 acre (140,000 Ha) reserve held as a concession by the billionaire Paul Tudor Jones. The concession comprised of Ikorongo Game Reserve, Grumeti Game Reserve and Fort Ikoma Open Area. The reserve is on the western border of the Serengeti includes part of the Grumeti River.

The wildebeest migration crossing the Grumeti River is one of the highlights of the annual migration. The migration normally moves through this area towards June and July. The reserve also has exceptional resident game throughout the year and has some of the most luxurious lodges in East Africa namely, Sasakwa Lodge, Faru Faru River Lodge and Sabora Plains Camp. Ngorongoro Conservation Area Read more about Ngorongoro Conservation Area . Maswa Reserve Maswa borders the south west part of Serengeti and is an extension of the Serengeti ecosystem. The reserve consists of river valley thickets, acacia parkland and open plains, making it an ideal walking area. Loloindo Game Controlled Area The large Loliondo Game Controlled Area, bordering the Serengeti to the east, is known for its unspoilt Maasai culture, spectacular natural beauty and great variety of animals. Loliondo offers unique freedom of movement: while the National Park rules do not allow activities such as night drives and walking safaris, these are all possible in Loliondo.

The large, private concession areas, shared with small settlements of the nomadic Maasai tribe, offer breathtaking landscapes: the towering Gol Mountains, the deep Sanjan and Olkarien Gorges, wild bush with roaming elephants and the active Ol Donyno Lengai volcano. Ancient rock paintings prove there was life before the arrival of the first Maasai warriors. Nearby areas: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania | andBeyond Serengeti National Park Dar es Salaam Serengeti National Park The Serengeti National Park, meaning “endless plains” in the Maasai language, is undoubtedly one of the world’s most celebrated wilderness areas and is an ongoing source of inspiration to writers, filmmakers and photographers. It is Tanzania’s oldest game reserve, renowned as the site of the annual Great Migration, when an estimated three million antelope – mostly wildebeest — migrate to Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve. This epic, seasonal journey is a deeply moving experience and a wonderful photographic subject. Visitors to the park can roam its sprawling plains on exhilarating game drives or hop into a hot-air balloon for a once-in-a-lifetime wilderness adventure.

Why Visit A UNESCO World Heritage Site The National Park is 1.5 million hectares. Undoubtedly one of the world’s most celebrated wilderness areas and is an ongoing source of inspiration to writers, filmmakers and photographers. It is Tanzania’s oldest game reserve, renowned as the site of the annual Great Migration, when an estimated three million antelope – mostly wildebeest — migrate to Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve. This epic, seasonal journey is a deeply moving experience and a wonderful photographic subject. Big Five National Park with a huge concentration of cats. Climate Min 24°C/75°F Max 32 C Winter Min 8°C/46°F Max 23°C/73°F Long rains: April to May (Monsoon) Short rains: November to mid December Fast Facts Best time to travelYearround Traveling with ChildrenThere are activities for children of all ages and plenty of adventure for the whole family. WildlifeThe annual Great Migration - an estimated three million antelope, mostly wildebeest migrate to Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve. Flying to TanzaniaThe gateway to Tanzania is Dar es Salaam. Limited international scheduled flights also fly directly to Kilimanjaro.

Daily scheduled domestic flights link these gateways with Tanzania's wildlife areas. LanguagesSwahili & English

Question: The 'Serengeti National Park' is situated in which country?
Answer: Tanzania